Races

It Pays To Follow

Posted on | Posted by Digby Beacham

HONEY DEW

Wednesday, March 1 @ Ascot

This mare is still chasing her first win of the current preparation, but you can argue she’s never been going better since arriving at Jim Taylor’s stable. Her recent effort when held up over 1200m before getting out when the bird had flown to grab second was further evidence she is nearing a win. Yes, Honey Dew needs luck with her racing pattern and is better suited when there is cut in the ground, but don’t overlook her next start.

WHAT ABOUT MOI

Wednesday, March 1 @ Ascot

Stefan Vahala looks primed for an excellent campaign with What About Moi. The trial leading into the first-up run was solid and his effort to run fourth from back in the field in the same race as Honey Dew was eye-catching. Hardly anything made ground on the day, but this gelding, who is better suited over further than 1200m, broke 34 seconds for his last 600m and did so down the middle of the track, which wasn’t the place to be.

VALDARENA

Thursday, March 2 @ Pinjarra

Impossible not to be impressed by the debut effort of Valdarena. In a race where Achici Vuolemale and Exporose cornered the market and duly ran 1-2, the three-year-old filly turned in a bottler. She didn’t jump cleanly, but was still able to tack on and looked like she had a bit to give inside the final 100m, only to be held up close to the line. Would she have won with an unimpeded path? No. Would she have finished closer? Absolutely.

I LOVE YOUR SMILE

Thursday, March 2 @ Pinjarra

Formerly trained by Luke Fernie and now in the care of Lucy Warwick, I Love Your Smile tuned up for her fresh run over 1500m with two solid trials. Was allowed to find her feet by Lucy and got to the line nicely down the centre of the track. She was beaten less than four lengths into fourth and interestingly, holds a nomination for both the WA Oaks and WATC Derby.

WESTERN KNIGHT

Saturday, March 4 @ Ascot

Was probably not entitled to win like he did upon resumption on the weekend, but he once again displayed his above-average talent levels. The two trials at Lark Hill had been eye-catching, just like his turn of foot was when William Pike pressed the button in 66+ grade. Still very much a work in progress, but is beautifully bred and seems poised to win a good race sooner rather than later.




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